Order lets Boy Scouts keep new abuse files private

DALLAS (AP) - The Boy Scouts of America has won a stay of a court order that would have required the organization to release more than two decades of files it kept on sexual abuse complaints.

A San Antonio judge ruled in August that the Scouts would have to release the files dating from 1985 to 2011. A former scout is seeking the documents. He's suing the national Boy Scouts and the local group in San Antonio.

The 4th Texas Court of Appeals on Thursday granted the Scouts organization's request to stay that portion of the judge's order.

Previously released files from 1959 to 1985 show the Boy Scouts of America shielded scoutmasters and others who allegedly molested children.

A Scouts spokesman says the group keeps files confidential to encourage reporting of abuse.

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